Ekaterina Sergeyevna, simply known as Katya, is the younger sister of Anna Sergeyevna who also inhabits the Nikolskoe country home. She first appears in the novel when Bazarov and Arkady arrive for their two-week visit. Katya, only eighteen years old, has a rather youthful appearance and a rather timid, sweet demeanor. She lives in her sister’s shadow, speaking little but listening and understanding much.
Upon first being introduced to Katya, both Arkady and the reader are unimpressed. She seems to be there for the sole purpose of occupying the young Kirsanov while Anna Sergeyevna and Bazarov spend time together on the estate. At her sister’s request, Katya plays the piano for him, but in a rather mechanical, overly precise manner. When Arkady tries to converse with her about her interest in music, she answers only with few words and modestly withdraws into herself. She makes a weak first impression on her visitor, who has his sights set on Anna Sergeyevna. However, Bazarov finds her enticing, calling her “fresh and untouched,” and therefore susceptible to anything that might be taught to her. Arkady ends up spending a great deal of time with Katya, and grows closer to her over time. Although he is initially upset that his love for the alluring Anna is unreciprocated, he recovers and begins to appreciate the approachable and kind girl with whom he actually has a lot more in common. Katya is solemn and says nothing when Arkady departs from Nikolskoe with Bazarov, unwilling to express any feelings she might have in front of her older sister.
When Arkady returns to Nikolskoe a few weeks later, Katya thrilled to see him. In their time alone together, Katya begins to verbalize her thoughts more freely. She expresses her dislike for Bazarov, whom she believes to be “a wild animal” (138). When Arkady asks her if she would ever consider marrying a rich man, she firmly says that she would not, because she believes that inequality in marriage would be unbearable. Although Katya shyly lives in the shadow of her sister, she possesses an independent and proud spirit. Despite this, she reacts positively to Arkady’s sincere proclamation of love and agrees to marry him. She understands that he is an honest and humble young man, with the potential to make a great husband. Indeed, at the end of the novel, Turgenev presents an image of them living happily in Maryino with Nikolai Petrovich and a newborn son. Katya, therefore, improves her situation greatly over the course of the novel, evolving from a timid, constrained girl to a happy mother with a budding family.